Applicator

ABSTRACT

The inventive applicator ( 1 ) for applying a hair treatment agent, in particular for redying renewable hairs, to a hair-roots area comprises an application nozzle ( 3 ) for said hair-treatment agent, a distributor element ( 4 ) for distributing the applied hair-treatment agent and a closing element ( 5 ) for the application nozzle ( 3 ). The aim of said invention is to design an applicator which is usable by a layperson, makes it possible to carry out the accurate hair-treatment agent dosing, prevents from delivering other treatment products during distribution and which is easily mountable and producible. For the purpose, the distributor element ( 4 ) has operating and resting positions and the closing element ( 5 ) has a closed and open positions, wherein the distributor element ( 4 ) is mechanically coupled with the closing element ( 5 ) in such a way that said closing element ( 5 ) is in the closed position when the distributor element ( 4 ) is in the operating position,

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of PCT/EP 2005/008560 filed Aug. 6, 2005, which, in turn, is based upon the corresponding German application 10 2004 042 617.1 filed Sep. 1, 2004, from which priority is claimed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention relates to an applicator for applying hair treatment agents in the region of the hairline, in particular for re-dyeing hair roots, with an application nozzle for the hair treatment agent, with a distributor element for distributing the applied hair treatment agent and with a closing means for the application nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often required to selectively treat the hair roots with hair treatment agents, such as e.g. care agents, medication, bleaching agents or hair dyes or tints.

For example, when dyeing hair, one differentiates between the first dyeing and the re-dyeing of the hair roots, which is necessary some time after the initial dyeing and when the newly grown hair differs in appearance from the initially dyed hair. One normally needs to re-dye the roots every one to one and a half months after the initial dyeing.

The roots are re-dyed by professional hairdressers in the following way. First, the hair is separated or parted and the parted hair is then combed. Then the dye is selectively applied with a flat brush onto the uncovered hair area next to the scalp. The normally viscous to pasty color that now lays on the head in a line, is dispersed with a slight pressure of the finger and in this manner is spread over a width of about 1 cm onto the roots lying on both sides of the parting. This process is repeated over the whole area of the head to be re-dyed. The three steps always essentially consist of parting the hair, applying the dye onto the parted hair and distributing the dye onto the roots.

It is not easy for laypersons to dye their own hair in this way. In particular, the sequence of the above-described steps is problematic for self-application. In addition there is the danger that the product comes into contact with the hands and therefore gloves have to be worn.

Indeed, applicators for applying hair dye are known from the prior art, but these are generally designed for professional use by hairdressers and are hardly suitable for consumers. Thus, an applicator of the prior art mentioned above is known from EP 0 038 024 A2 (Wella AG). Here, the distributor element has the form of a flat brush, wherein the application nozzles for the hair dye are located between the individual tufts of bristles. The flat brush lays in the sense of the parting aid that is formed as a top mounting. As emerges from the description of this application on page 4, paragraph 1, the same abovementioned steps are carried out with this hair dye application device. The sole advantage here, is that a separate comb, a separate flat brush and a separate hair dye container are not provided, rather the individual parts are combined into a single device and the process steps can or must be carried out at the same time. Moreover, the distributor element obscures the application nozzles with the result that an accurate application and the resulting independent dispersion are hardly possible. Also, in one embodiment of the equipment, the application nozzles are designed without closing means in the operating position, with the result that the dye tends to continue to seep out during the dispersion. In a further embodiment a manually activated closing or opening means is indeed provided, but this involves an elaborate and expensive construction.

A further applicator is known from EP 0 910 967 A1 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,881, which in fact has a simpler construction, but the abovementioned steps of parting, application and dispersion are carried out in one operation. This requires one to work speedily, because the distributor element obscures the application nozzle and this is always open, such that the applied quantity of dye and the application location can hardly be controlled. Consequently, an accurate application and dosing is difficult and there is the danger of over-dosing and wrong manipulation. Moreover, working at speed presents certain demands on lay people.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,247 discloses a large number of further applicators that essentially involve an application nozzle for parting the hair and applying the dye as well as a distributor element, wherein the distributor element can be designed as the application roller that is either rotatably or fixedly linked through a lever with the applicator housing. With these applicators the three operations are also preferably carried out in one operation. There is also the danger with these applicators that too great an amount of dye is applied, as the application nozzle is constantly open. Indeed, two similar applicators are known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,027, which can be closed by valves; however, the valves in the construction are expensive and tend to block up when pasty treatment agents are used. In addition, it is not certain that the user also really actions the valve in question to stop the exit of the treatment agent in good time.

THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is based on the object of providing an applicator that allows laypersons to use it themselves. In addition, the applicator should allow an accurate dosing of the hair treatment agent without over dosage and especially prevent the release of additional hair treatment agent during dispersion. Moreover, the applicator should be easily constructed and manufactured.

This object is achieved by means of the invention portrayed in claim 1.

Due to the fact that the distributor element has a working position and a rest position and the closing means has a closed position and an open position, wherein the distributor is mechanically coupled to the closing means in such a way that the closing means finds itself in the closed position when the distributor element is in the working position, it is also possible for laypersons to safely and easily treat their own hair in the area of the roots without the danger of an over dosage because the distributor element ensures that the application nozzle is closed by the closing means as soon as the dispersion of the hair treatment agent is begun. In this way a thorough distribution can be made, without additional hair treatment agent escaping.

Therefore, in contrast to the above applicators, one with a simple utilization was favored over the models with three steps in one operation. It is also advantageous when the distributor element is mechanically coupled to the closing means in such a way that the closing means finds itself in the open position when the distributor element is in the rest position. This results in an applicator that is very simple to operate.

In order to facilitate a simple construction of the cooperation of the distributor element with the closing means, preferably the distributor element and the closing means can at least be connected to one another. In this way the closing means can be operated from the distributor element by its movement from one position to the other.

Advantageously, the distributor element, in its working position, is located in the region of the application nozzle tip such that it is easily visible and can be accurately controlled by the user. This also enables a controlled dispersion to be made.

In order that the distributor element can be moved from one position to the other, it makes sense for it to be movably linked to the application nozzle.

In addition, it can be displaceable along the application nozzle or have two extended sidepieces that are movable as a hinge with the application nozzle transverse to the longitudinal course of the application nozzle, i.e. transverse to the direction of the application.

If the distributor element is movable along the application nozzle then its rest position is advantageously in the area of the base of the application nozzle, i.e. in the region of the transition to an optionally provided connection piece. Then it does not interfere during the application of the treatment agent nor does it obscure the application nozzle tips.

In order to interactively operate the closing means, the distributor element can possess means that can be brought to mechanically operate means that are provided on the closing means i.e., to open or close the closing means. This can be projections extending in the longitudinal direction of the application nozzle, which cooperate with a turn-lock fastener located on the housing as soon as the distributor element is in the rest position. They are then preferably formed in such a way that the distributor element, on leaving the rest position, causes the fastener to turn, i.e. the closing means can be actuated by turning the means.

In this way the distributor element can be moved from its rest position into its working position and vice versa by a turning-displacement movement, for which the application nozzle of the applicator in one embodiment possesses a groove or a projection on its outer circumference, with which a counterpart provided on the distributor element cooperates. The distributor element can also encompass the application nozzle; in particular it can be in the form of a surrounding circular brush. However, one can also consider the possible use of sponges or similar distributor elements as are commonly used by the person skilled in the art, such as, e.g. brushes with one or a plurality of rows or curves of bristles or tufts of brush hair.

When the distributor element possesses two extended sidepieces that are movable as a hinge with the application nozzle transverse to the direction of the application, i.e. to the longitudinal course of the application nozzle, then it is advantageous if the sidepieces cooperate with the closing means, and the closing means can be supported by the sidepieces for this purpose. This results in a constructively simple design and production,

Accordingly, in the simplest variant, the inventive applicator consists solely of three elements: application nozzle, distributor element and its cooperating closing means.

The closing means can be designed as a cross web between the sidepieces with a blind hole or a similarly suitable recess. In the working position, the distributor element locks in place on the application nozzle tips by means of the recess and therefore closes them.

It makes sense for the distributor element to have a distributor surface, with which the actual distribution of the hair treatment agent is effected. This is preferably a superficial distributor surface, formed from e.g. an elastic plate made of plastic or a sponge. However, the use of a sponge or a sponge-like distributor element is particularly preferred. It is quite particularly preferred when the distributor surface is rotatable about an axis running transversally to the longitudinal direction of the application nozzle or the application direction, as is the case for e.g. a rotatable sponge ball or a rotatable sponge roller. Then, in addition the friction being reduced during the distribution, the hair remains parted and will not be tangled.

According to a further embodiment, the applicator possesses locking means that configure the distributor element in its working position and/or rest position. In this way an unwanted position change of the distributor element is prevented as otherwise could happen with one-handed use above the head.

Advantageously, the distributor element is executed with a detachable and fastenable application nozzle, such that the user can easily assemble the applicator. This makes sense for packaging and in addition allows the user to choose between the classic, accepted way of treatment and that according to the invention. Then, for example, the container for the treatment agent with the closed application nozzle is delivered separately from the distributor element. This way also permits the choice of differently designed distributor elements with the result that e.g. the wide variation reduces the danger of doubled dyeing.

Here in addition, the applicator can be like a screw cap that can be screwed on the hair treatment agent container, i.e. that can be screwed on and off normal storage containers and accordingly be reusable. Accordingly, the application nozzle can have a connection piece for connecting with a hair treatment container. Thus a modular construction can be achieved with a suitable design, which allows a simple construction together with good adaptability to different containers, such that e.g. commercially available application bottles can be used.

Moreover, when the applicator is also linked to the hair treatment container by a pivotable outlet, then the user can adopt a favourable working position or comfortably obtain an optimal alignment of the application nozzle and the distributor element.

In accordance with the above embodiments, the invention also relates to a hair treatment container that is designed in one piece or in a number of pieces with an applicator having the abovementioned characteristics. In particular, the application nozzle can be part of the container.

In order to treat the hair with the inventive applicator in the region of the roots, one proceeds, for example, as follows:

First, the user opens the opening of the application nozzle of the applicator that is linked to the hair treatment container. For this, the distributor element is moved into its rest position thus actioning the opening of the application nozzle by cooperation with the closing means. If the distributor element is stored separately, then e.g. the screw cap is removed from application nozzle that is already connected to the container or the closed tip is cut off. The distributor element is then attached, which then ensures the further sealability, and is then brought to its rest position.

Then the user runs the applicator through the hair, the hair being simultaneously separated or parted by the open tips of the application nozzle, and the treatment agent, such as e.g. hair dye is applied from the container in the area of the roots.

At the end of the application of the treatment agent or dye, the distributor element is brought to its working position such that the application nozzle closes, and accordingly disperses the treatment agent or the dye, wherein the distributor element is preferably moved or rotated relative to the container by the contact with the scalp, such that the user neither has to wear gloves nor comes into unwanted contact with the treatment agent.

The invention is particularly designed for use with dyeing or re-dyeing human hair. The hair treatment agent container then contains suitable mixtures of dye or tinting agents. The inventive applicator, however, can find general use for hair treatment in the regions of the hairline and the hair roots. The hair treatment agent container then contains e.g. suitable care agents or medicaments.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention become apparent from the following description of embodiments, in reference to the drawing. The drawings show:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a first embodiment of an inventive applicator with a distributor element in the working position;

FIG. 2 a schematic side view of the applicator of FIG. 1 with the distributor element in the rest position;

FIG. 3 a schematic side view of a second embodiment of an inventive applicator with a distributor element in the working position and

FIG. 4 a schematic side view of the applicator of FIG. 3 with the distributor element in the rest position.

For easier understanding, the corresponding parts in the Figures are assigned the same reference numerals throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a complete applicator 1 with a connection piece 2, with an application nozzle 3, a distributor element 4 and with a closing means 5. The FIGS. 1 and 2 differ in that in FIG. 1 the distributor element 4 is in its working position and in FIG. 2 the distributor element 4 is in its rest position.

The connection piece 2 of the application nozzle 3 as a screw cap that can be screwed on or off, is provided with an internal screw thread such that it can be attached to a commercially available hair dye bottle.

From the connection piece 2, a tapered application nozzle 3 extends lengthwise and from its base towards the open tip 6. In the present case, this is integrally formed with the connection piece 2. The application nozzle 3 possesses a continuous inner bore that ends in a corresponding opening of the connection piece 2 and thus permits the supply of the dye contained in the hair dye bottle into the application nozzle 3. The longitudinal axis of the application nozzle 3 defines the application direction. Moreover, the application nozzle also serves for parting the hair.

Thus, by e.g. squeezing the hair dye bottle, dye can be conveyed into the application nozzle 3 and further to the open tip 6 for application on the parted hair.

On the connection piece 2 are two sidepieces 7 of the distributor element 4, which are extended lengthwise, spaced apart and running parallel to one another, and can be pivoted transversely to the application direction about an axis 8. For a better view, the sidepieces 7 are presented transparently, as is signified by the dashed lines. They extend from the connection piece 2 further than the tip 6 of the application nozzle 3 and, in the rest position, run essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the application nozzle 3. A sponge roller or cylinder 9 is provided as a dispersion surface on the end of the lengthwise-extended sidepieces 7 that project beyond the tip 6. It is arranged to rotate about an axis 10 that runs transverse to the application direction and parallel to the axis 8 between the sidepieces 7.

The closing means 5 is provided as a sealing plate 11 at a distance away from the sponge roller 9 in the direction of the tip 6, said closing means being extended between the sidepieces 7 and solidly linked to them. The closing means has a recess 12 that has approximately the dimensions of the application nozzle tip 6.

The sealing plate 11 is positioned in such a way in the longitudinal direction of the sidepiece 7 that in the working position illustrated in FIG. 1, it seals the tip 6 of the application nozzle 3 from the sponge roller 9 preferably by means of a form closure. As the sealing plate and the sidepieces 7 consist of a suitable plastic, the move into this position occurs by contact and gripping, i.e. by elastic deformation.

For dispersing the applied dyestuff, the user can roll the totality from the bottle and applicator 1 along the scalp with the sponge roller 9, no dyestuff being able to escape from the sealed application nozzle 3.

To apply dyestuff the distributor element 4 with its sidepieces 7 is moved about the axis 8 adjustment direction V to the rest position. For this, the sealing plate 11 is folded or pushed to the side using a low force under elastic deformation of the tip 6 of the application nozzle 3, thereby opening the application nozzle 3.

The distributor element 4 can be held in the rest position (FIG. 2) by catches. The can include a slightly nobbed protrusion on the connection piece 2 and a suitably positioned recess in one or both sidepieces 7.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a schematic side view of a second embodiment of an inventive applicator 1 connected to a bottle 13 with the distributor element 4 in the working position FIG. 3) and rest position (FIG. 4), wherein the applicator 1 is presented sectionally from the application nozzle 3.

The connection means 2 is screwed onto a bottle 13. Similarly to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the tapered application nozzle 3 extends from the connection piece 2 lengthwise and from its base to the open tip 6.

The application nozzle 3 possesses a continuous inner bore 15 that ends in a corresponding opening of the connection piece 2 and thus permits the supply of the dye contained in the hair dye bottle 13 into the application nozzle 3. Here as well, the longitudinal axis of the application nozzle 3 defines the application direction.

Essentially, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 differs from the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the design of the distribution element 4 and the closing means 5.

Namely, the distributor element 4 is in the form of a circular brush 14 that surrounds the application nozzle 3 and can be moved along the application nozzle 3 between the working position on the application nozzle tip 6 and the rest position.

In order to be able to grasp the circular brush 14 without touching the treatment agent, there is provided a gripping area 16 above the bristles 17 that extend in the direction of the application nozzle tip 6.

To prevent the circular brush 14 from “slipping down” the application nozzle 3 or the application nozzle tip 6 when said brush is in the working position, an edge is provided (not shown) that runs around the nozzle opening, which optionally cooperates with a suitable recess on the circular brush 14.

In the working position of the circular brush 14, the application nozzle 3 is sealed by the closing means 5. These are supplied as the connection piece 2 in the form of a screw cap. In this context the connection piece 2 is formed such that the circular brush 14 can be moved from the rest position illustrated in FIG. 4 into the working position illustrated in FIG. 3 only by turning and moving.

In the turning step, the circular brush 14 is mechanically coupled over projections 18 with the screw cap 2 such that on turning it entrains the screw cap and hence the cap (or the opening) of the application nozzle 3. The circular brush 14 is held and guided by guides in such a way that only after sufficient turning round the application nozzle 3 to close it can it be moved down along the application nozzle 3 to the tip 6. Analogously, the opposite displacement or turning takes place to reach the rest position from the working position,

In this way one is certain that the application nozzle 3 is always closed when the circular brush 14 is in its working position.

List of Reference Numerals

-   1 applicator -   2 connection piece -   3 application nozzle -   4 distributor element -   5 closing means -   6 tip -   7 sidepiece -   8 axis -   9 sponge roller -   10 axis -   11 sealing plate -   12 recess -   13 bottle -   14 circular brush -   15 bore -   16 gripping area -   17 bristles -   18 projections -   V adjustment direction 

1. Applicator for applying hair treatment agents in the region of the hairline, in particular for re-dyeing hair roots, with an application nozzle (3) for the hair treatment agent, with a distributor element (4) for distributing the applied hair treatment agent and with a closing means (5) for the application nozzle (3), wherein the distributor element (4) has a working position and a rest position and the closing means (5) has a closed position and an open position, wherein the distributor element (4) is mechanically coupled with the closing means (5) in such a way that the closing means (5) finds itself in the closed position when the distributor element (4) finds itself in the working position.
 2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the distributor element (4) is mechanically coupled to the closing means (5) in such a way that the closing means (5) finds itself in the open position when the distributor element (4) finds itself in the rest position.
 3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the distributor element (4) and the closing means (5) are at least connectable with one another.
 4. Applicator according to claim 1 wherein the application nozzle has a tip (6) and wherein the distributor element (4) in its working position is located in the vicinity of the application nozzle tip (6).
 5. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the distributor element (4) is movably connected to the application nozzle (3).
 6. Applicator according to claim 5, wherein the distributor element (4) is movable along the application nozzle (3).
 7. Applicator according to claim 5, wherein the application nozzle has a base and wherein the distributor element (4) in its rest position is located in the vicinity of the base of the application nozzle (3).
 8. Applicator according to claim 7, wherein the distributor element (4) has means (18) that can be brought to mechanically cooperate with the means located on the closing means (5) to actuate said closing means.
 9. Applicator according to claim 8, wherein the closing means (5) can be moved by turning the means
 18. 10. Applicator according to claim 4, wherein the distributor element (4) is movable by a turning-displacing movement from its rest position into its working position and vice versa.
 11. Applicator according to claim 10, wherein the application nozzle (3) has a groove or a projection on its outer circumference with which a counterpart provided on the distributor element (4) cooperates.
 12. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the distributor element (4) surrounds the application nozzle (3), as a surrounding circular brush (14).
 13. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application nozzle extends in a longitudinal direction and wherein the distributor element (4) has two lengthwise extended sidepieces (7) that are connected to the application nozzle (3) and movably hinged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the application nozzle (3).
 14. Applicator according to claim 13, wherein the sidepieces (7) cooperate with the closing means (5), supported by the sidepieces (7).
 15. Applicator according to claim 13, wherein the distributor element (4) has a distributor surface (9).
 16. Applicator according to claim 15, wherein the distributor surface (9) is a superficial distributor surface.
 17. Applicator according to claim 16, wherein the distributor surface (9) can be turned about an axis (10) that runs transverse to the longitudinal direction of the application nozzle (3).
 18. Applicator according to claim 13, wherein the distributor element (4) is a rotatable sponge member (9).
 19. Applicator according to claim 13, wherein the distributor element (4) is a fixed sponge.
 20. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein catches are provided that lock the distributor element (4) in any of its working position and rest position.
 21. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the distributor element (4) is detachably fixed to the application nozzle (3).
 22. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application nozzle (3) has a connection piece (2) to connect with a container of hair treatment agent (13).
 23. Applicator according to claim 22, wherein the applicator includes a screw cap for attaching the application nozzle (3) to the container of hair treatment agent (13), through the connection piece (2).
 24. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is connected to the container of hair treatment agent by a pivotable outlet.
 25. Container of hair treatment agent with an applicator according to claim
 1. 26. Container of hair treatment agent according to claim 25, wherein the application nozzle (3) is part of the container of hair treatment agent (13). 